Colorado’s Wastewater Market: Key Drivers and Funding

Colorado’s wastewater infrastructure needs are defined by its diverse geography, from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains. The state is investing billions to modernize its systems and protect its vital waterways.

• Population Growth and Water Scarcity: Colorado’s population has grown rapidly, putting immense pressure on existing wastewater collection and treatment systems. In a state where water is a scarce resource, wastewater is increasingly being viewed as a valuable asset for reuse and recycling.
• Environmental Protection: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is a major driver of change, pushing communities to reduce pollutants and address emerging contaminants like PFAS. The Water Quality Control Division sets and enforces regulations to protect the state’s rivers and lakes.
• State and Federal Funding: The primary sources of funding are:
  • Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (WPCRF): This federal-state partnership, administered by the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority, provides low-interest loans and grants for a wide range of projects. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has infused the WPCRF with over $680 million in additional funding over five years, vastly increasing the state’s annual allocation. You can find more information about the WPCRF and its project lists on the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority website.
  • Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): Administered by the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), this program provides grants for water and wastewater projects, with a maximum grant of $600,000 for eligible communities.
  • Energy & Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF): This fund provides grants and loans to communities impacted by energy and mineral development, with water and wastewater projects being eligible uses.

Finding Future Projects with Early-Stage Sales Intelligence

In Colorado’s competitive market, waiting for an RFP is often too late. By the time a project is formally bid, the solution, technology, and even the preferred vendor may already be determined. Early-Stage Sales Intelligence is the key to winning. It means tracking public documents that signal a future project long before it’s officially announced.

• WPCRF Project Priority Lists: The CDPHE and Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority publish Intended Use Plans (IUPs) for the WPCRF, detailing projects with submitted funding applications. These plans, released 1 to 5 years before RFPs, offer insight into community projects like plant upgrades and sewer rehabilitation, including estimated costs and preliminary funding sources (Base or BIL).
• Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs): Many Colorado municipalities and authorities publish multi-year CIPs. These documents outline planned spending on wastewater projects, providing a direct roadmap for upcoming work.
• Public Meeting Records: Local government meeting minutes and preliminary engineering studies often contain discussions about infrastructure needs and proposed solutions. By tracking these documents, you can discover a community’s challenges and engage with key decision-makers 1 to 5 years before an RFP is ever created.

How Citylitics Can Help

Citylitics transforms fragmented public data into actionable Early-Stage Sales Intelligence. We analyze millions of public documents from sources like the CDPHE and local municipalities. Our platform provides a clear, forward-looking view of the Wastewater market. By using Citylitics, you can:

• Identify Planned Projects: Our platform tracks projects mentioned in CIPs, budgets, and public meeting minutes, giving you a comprehensive view of which communities are planning to invest in their wastewater infrastructure.
• Follow the Funding: We monitor funding applications for the WPCRF and other programs to pinpoint which projects have secured financing and are most likely to move forward.
• Influence the Conversation: Early project engagement with public officials allows you to become a trusted advisor, shaping project scope to your company’s strengths, and significantly increasing your win rates.

Learn how to uncover, target, and influence upcoming wastewater infrastructure projects. Request a demo of Citylitics today and start improving your win rates.